Various departments, schools and organizations in Nagaland observed the “world no tobacco day” in respective districts on Tuesday under the theme, “get ready for plain packaging”.
NTCP Dimapur: District observed the day at Christian Higher Secondary School, Dimapur by organising a prepared speech competition on “Smoke Free Dimapur” and recognising tobacco free schools under Dimapur district.
Chief medical officer Dimapur, Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi as chief guest reiterated the dangers of tobacco use and especially warned the students that in addition to causing cancer and many other health hazards, consumption of tobacco products can lead to nicotine addiction if tobacco consumption begins at an early age. He emphasised on the cosmetic point of view too to make tobacco free teeth and tobacco free stomach, smoking free lungs which would give better health and good looks. He further offered awareness programmes on any health related topics if students need it in future.
SDO (Civil) Dimapur, Albert Ezung also urged the students and the young generation to be free from tobacco and to lead a tobacco free life. He also appreciated the students for their initiative and enthusiasm in making Dimapur a tobacco free place.
Nodal officer NTCP Dimapur, Dr. C. Tetseo presented the keynote address while Moainla Imchen, CHSS shared the voice of children for smoke free Dimapur and Highland Hall School students presented a skit on the danger of tobacco use.
During the function, 50 schools were awarded state level certificates in recognition for making their institution a tobacco free school in Dimapur district. Schools were urged to use tobacco free school logo in their prospectus in future. Certificates and prizes were distributed to the participants of prepared speech competition.
Led by deputy chief medical officer Dimapur, Dr. Antoly Suu the students, teachers and all participants of the programme took anti tobacco pledge.
PEREN: In Peren the programme was held on with ADC Peren, Tainiu as the chief guest. Speaking at the programme, she said that consuming tobacco created problem in the family as well as to the society. She also said that every faction of the people should be aware of the harmful effects of consuming tobacco.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Tiala Longkumer who also delivered welcome note while the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Atsungla and Dr. Sabino gave the vote of thanks.
The programme was attended by Peren Town Students Union, GBs, town committee and other officials.
Medical superintendent, Dr.Atsungla in her key note address raised the concern about the alarming death caused by the effects of tobacco use. She said that Peren district has been approved in the second phase of programme implementation by the ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI because consumption level of tobacco was very high in the district as per the survey report. District Nodal Officer, NTCP, Dr.Sabino thanked all participants.
DLSA: District Legal Services Authority observed the day with School Children at the villages and sub-divisions across the state.
Legal tools and activities undertaken to sensitized the students on the danger of tobacco and the prohibition thereof were simplified into painting, extempore speeches, posters and quiz competitions. Prizes were awarded to winners by District Legal Services Authorities.
Legal aspects on prohibition/prevention and control of use of tobacco products, right to health and healthy living, danger and harmful effect of using drugs, child rights etc. were some of the topics highlighted by the DLSAs chairman/secretary/panel lawyers & doctors.
DLSA Kohima: Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) held the programme at Don Bosco School, Cheiphobozou and Govt. Middle School Nerhe, Model Village at Don Bosco School Chiephobozou today.
Chairperson of the programme retainer lawyer, KDLSA, Kekriengulie in his opening remarks thanked the school authorities for giving the opportunity to the Kohima District Legal Services Authority to conduct the programme.
Chairman, Don Bosco School, Cheiphobozou, Father Matthew thanked the KDLSA for conducting the awareness programme among the students and urged the students to stay away from such bad habits and influences of smoking and chewing tobacco products.
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima & Secretary KDLSA, Mezivolu T Therieh NJS, spoke on the topic “dangers of using tobacco” where she briefed the students about the important provision of COTPA Act (Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act). She said that tobacco was the only legal products that kill 50% of its users. She highlighted on the dangers of smoking cigarettes and bidi and consumption of tobacco products like talab, rajnigandha, pan masala etc which were injurious to health and advised the students to stay away from such vices. She added that bad habit started in a small way and gradually the person gets addicted leading to health complications and finishing one’s life.
Speaking on the topic “right of children”, panel lawyer Thejapfutuo Khezhie stressed on the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) saying that this Act aimed at protecting children from sexual harassment, sexual assault and pornography. He encouraged the students not to remain silent if they faced any kind of sexual abuse but to always make it a point to share it with someone they trust.
Panel lawyer, Nancy Lotha spoke on the topic “right to health and healthy living”. Right to health care meant that the hospitals, clinics, medicines and doctors’ services would be accessible where and when needed, she added. Quiz competition was conducted by panel lawyer, Apila Sangtem on the topics which were presented during the session followed by distribution of pamphlets and sweets. The students actively participated in the quiz competition. There were a total of 470 students and teachers who attended the programme.
DLSA Wokha: Wokha District Legal Services Authority celebrated the occasion by organising a legal seminar -cum- poster making competition at DBHSS, Wokha. Panel lawyer, David Ezung chaired the program and the welcome address was delivered by vice principal DBHSS, Father Romanus. A brief note on the significance of the “World No Tobacco Day” was presented by teacher-in-charge Thungben Kinghen which was followed by pictorial presentation on the theme by secretary WDLSA, Wonchibeni Patton. The poster making competition was judged by local artist Thungbemo Murry where Randanbeni Patton was adjudged the first prize winner, Echungreni NA Erui and Chumlano Ezung as second and third respectively
DLSA Dimapur: Dimapur District legal services Authority observes anti tobacco day with the students of Diphupar Government High School, Dimapur. About 600 students attended the programme along the teachers. The panel layers spoke on different topics and make aware on anti-tobacco, child rights and legal services .
OCKN: Oriental college Kohima Nagaland (OCKN) observed the occasion at its college auditorium, where keynote address was delivered by college vice principal, Gopal Chetri while principal of the college Dr. Ketshukietuo Dzüvichü, shared about the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco products. Staff and students of the college took a pledge and declared Oriental College campus as “tobacco free campus”.
MGM Hr. Sec. School: MGM Hr Sec School held a short awareness speech in the morning assembly by Priyanka and a short play was conducted by Class 12 students, under the theme “after effect of tobacco addiction”. Poster competition was conducted on the theme “get ready for plain packaging” and certificates were distributed to the winners. Principal, Fr.P.S. Varghese, gave awareness talk and briefly explained the ill effects of the tobacco. The activated anti-tobacco cell members were informed to give awareness talks to each class and check the students against the use of any type of tobacco products in the school campus. Principal also informed that MGM was awarded state level anti tobacco free school certificate, for its tremendous efforts to fight against tobacco use among children.
Agape School: Agape School, Chumukedima conducted a short play during the programme, enacted by the school teachers. Short speech was delivered by the tobacco teacher-in-charge and “signature campaign” was also conducted where students took the pledge. Program concluded with the slogan ‘say no to tobacco’. This year the school also got “tobacco free school certificate.”
ZMHSS: Zakiesato Memorial Higher Secondary School (ZMHSS) observed by sensitizing on the evils of smoking, chewing of tobacco, and the significance of creating awareness among adolescents who were the most vulnerable group with regards to tobacco use.